Ways To Help Your Child Cope With The Loss Of A Loved One

The subject about death is indeed a sensitive one and those talking about it should prepare their recipients adequately before bringing it up. More so, they should do that especially in the case of children. Being the young and innocent little people that they truly are, they know nothing much about being separated physically from the one they love for all eternity. Funeral directors recommend that you select your words very carefully while addressing them. You will be surprised to find that they are more mature than we think and some will only shed a few tears as they come to terms of their loss.

A funeral is a wedding of some sort

You can also try to make them sees things from another point of view, and that is, indeed, some wedding only that this time, the deceased ‘walks down the aisle, alone and in a casket. Lowering the coffin six feet under is like witnessing the union between a bride and a groom only that the deceased is completely oblivious to what is happening around them.

Never leave their side during and after a funeral

Hold their hands all through. By doing this, you are personally communicating to them and letting them know that you are with them and will never leave them. Kids love this a lot. The night after the burial, offer to sleep in their rooms so that they won’t feel lonely. Say their prayers with them as is their norm and then tuck them in safely. Do this every night for about a month until you are sure that they are ready to about their lives the usual way.

Have them freely talk about their feelings

Don’t shut them out assuming that they are fine, encourage the kids to open up about how they feel not having the one they grew fond of, around them anymore. Make them see the importance of talking about their feelings regarding what has just happened. This way, you will build that bridge of trust between you and them and they will always feel confident about running to you anytime they are facing something they don’t think they can handle. Also, let them know that it is not good keeping things bottled up and hoping that the problem will go away just like that. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Take them out very often

The best way for children to take their mind off things is by engaging in fun and games. Take them out to bouncing castles and places where they offer safe and fun games for children to participate in. Buy them ice cream and teddy bears; kids cannot resist these two. Before you know it, they are back to their usual, jovial selves again.

Buying them a harmless pet is also another option you should be open to. The kids will never feel lonely even when you have to run to the store to get something for dinner. A pet will help them through the healing process before they are ready to face the other kids in their neighborhood and at school.